Do You Need To Brush Your Baby’s Teeth?
Fewer
than 1/3 of parents begin brushing their baby’s teeth before age one,
but most pediatricians urge parents to begin brushing as soon as your
child’s tooth first appears (around four to six months).Over 95 percent of Americans have cavities, and your baby can get them too. Cavities occur when decay-causing bacteria collect in the sticky substance called plaque. When your child eats a sweet or starchy food the bacteria release an acid that can cause a cavity. The longer a tooth is in contact with that acid, the greater the chance that a cavity can form. That is why brushing to remove the plaque needs to become an early habit.
According to The Baby Food Bible, to avoid cavities you should:
- Clean your child’s teeth with gauze or an infant toothbrush twice a day one teeth emerge.
- Give only water before naptime or bedtime. Milk, formula, juice, or soda all contain carbohydrate, the nutrient bacteria thrive on. Liquids can be a particular problem because they bathe the whole tooth and even get in between teeth.
- When your child eats sticky foods, such as dried fruit, fruit leather, or gummy bears, brush her teeth or at the very least have her rinse.
- Avoid sugary snacks in favor of snacks with some protein, such as cheese, nuts, or a hard-boiled egg.
- Foods that require a lot of chewing, such as peppers, cucumbers, celery, and carrots are great choices.
- Popcorn, plain crackers, and rice cakes are also less likely to cause cavities than cookies, candy or granola bars.
This excellent video give you specific advice from doctors on why and how to brush your child’s teeth.
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